Lyra

I felt a warm hand on my arm and heard the leaves rustle. Before I knew it, Ryan had gently turned me to face him.

The hurt I'd seen in his eyes earlier was back, a deep pain that made my heart ache. He let go of my arm and rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous gesture I'd come to recognize. When he spoke, his voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of tension.

"I saw you with Killian," he said, pausing as his jaw clenched slightly. I could see the muscles in ...